Dr. Richard Hamm

In the past generation, mainline denominations and their congregations have experienced a steady decline in membership, participation, and influence. Several books have been written offering ideas of how to break that pattern, generally with limited success. "Recreating the Church: Leadership for the Postmodern Age" focuses on the role ministers can play in reshaping these institutions of faith.

Written by Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this fairly short book offers an analysis of the three main components that have led to decline and some thoughts on how best to react. While offering few concrete solutions, Hamm insists on the need for adaptive change rather than technical change; the latter is akin to "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic," while the former is more interested in finding ways to keep the Titanic afloat.

Most of Hamm's suggestions are thoughtful and sound, though there are too few of them. However, by focusing on the difference between technical and adaptive change, he likely identifies the struggle most congregations will face when attempting to counteract declining participation. Almost instinctively, when faced by such change, people look for technical changes which can be made within the existing structures, instead of imagining how those ineffective structures themselves might be changed.

For any leader facing a significant challenge in a mainline congregation, understanding this difference between surface changes and structural transformation is key. Unfortunately, recognizing this is only the first step in addressing the larger problem. As such, this book is an important first answer, but only the beginning of the changes in thinking and practice that mainline congregations need to accept in order to revitalize their ministries.… (mer)